Luis Suarez has become the latest international football star to have tested positive for coronavirus.
The Uruguay striker has returned a positive test while on duty with his national team and will subsequently sit out the World Cup qualifier against Brazil on Tuesday night.
In addition, he’s set to miss out on the weekend match in LaLiga, where his new side Atletico Madrid host his old club Barcelona.
Suarez scored almost 200 goals for the Catalan side before leaving this summer, after being told by new boss Ronald Koeman he wasn’t in his plans - and he has since forged a quickly impressive relationship with Joao Felix at Atletico.
The 33-year-old has scored five times from five starts in league play this season, with Atletico third in the table after seven matches played - two fewer than leaders Real Sociedad.
Barcelona’s start to the season has been inconsistent, with the Camp Nou side sitting eighth place over the international break. The teams will clash on Saturday evening at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Manager Diego Simeone must decide whether to restore Diego Costa to the starting line-up in Suarez’s place, or else shift Angel Correa up front from the wing and bring in an additional midfield option.
The international break has seen a huge number of players test positive for the virus, including Matt Doherty of Tottenham and Ireland, Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal and his Egyptian compatriot and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
Bristol City’s training ground has also been closed after a number of positive tests there.
